Michael Venezia is a Democratic member of the New Jersey General Assembly representing the 34th Legislative District, which encompasses six municipalities in Essex County. The district's most populous communities include East Orange, Bloomfield, Belleville, Orange, Nutley and Glen Ridge. Venezia took office on January 9, 2024, and became Assembly Majority Whip in 2026.
A third-generation Bloomfield resident, Venezia built a career in public administration and local government. He earned a bachelor's degree from Monmouth University in 2005 and a Master of Public Administration from Fairleigh Dickinson University in 2017. He worked as director of human resources for the Essex County Schools of Technology and previously served as assistant county administrator under the Essex County Executive. He also held posts as a senior advisor to U.S. Senator Frank Lautenberg and as a field representative for U.S. Representative Bill Pascrell.
Venezia entered municipal politics in Bloomfield in 2011, winning election as councilman at large. In 2014 he ran for mayor and won, becoming the youngest mayor in township history at age 31. He served nearly a decade, stepping down in January 2024 to assume his Assembly seat. During his mayoral tenure the township stabilized property taxes, pursued downtown redevelopment and acquired 13 acres of land for wetlands restoration and public recreation after rejecting a proposal for 110 townhomes. The Bloomfield Police Department earned accreditation from the New Jersey Chiefs of Police Association and the fire department secured a Class 2 rating from the Insurance Service Organization, placing it in the top 5% of municipal fire departments nationally. Venezia also served on the Executive Board Committee of the New Jersey League of Municipalities and as a member of the U.S. Conference of Mayors.
Political Career
Councilman at Large, Bloomfield (2011-2014)
Mayor, Bloomfield (2014-2024)
Member, Executive Board Committee, New Jersey League of Municipalities
Member, U.S. Conference of Mayors
New Jersey General Assembly, District 34 (2024-present)
Majority Whip, New Jersey General Assembly (2026-present)
Key Policy Areas
Municipal finance and property tax stabilization
Public safety and emergency services
Downtown redevelopment and economic development
Environmental protection and open space preservation
Education and workforce development
Notable Actions / Initiatives
Elected mayor of Bloomfield in 2014 at age 31, becoming the youngest mayor in township history.
Oversaw nearly a decade of stabilized property taxes in Bloomfield while attracting downtown commercial development.
Led the township's acquisition of 13 acres for wetlands restoration and public recreation, halting a planned 110-townhome development.
Achieved New Jersey Chiefs of Police Association accreditation for the Bloomfield Police Department and a Class 2 Insurance Service Organization rating for the fire department, placing it in the top 5% nationally.
Elected to the General Assembly in 2023 as one of 27 new Assembly members comprising more than one-third of the chamber, and named Majority Whip in 2026.
Education
B.A., Political Science and Government, Monmouth University (2005)
M.P.A., Fairleigh Dickinson University (2017)
Personal
